Genetic variability and association analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) treated with Trichoderma harzianum

An investigation was carried out to analyze the extant of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and character association for grain yield with yield attributing traits in treated rice with Trichoderma harzianum. Analysis of variance revealed considerable variability among the germplasms for all traits under study. Coefficients of genotypic and phenotypic variability were observed for most of the traits both in treated and their control plot. High heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was found in the trait number of grains per panicle. High heritability but low value of genetic advance for days to maturity, days to 50% flowering and panicle length in treated and their control plot. Results indicated that test weight, panicle length and number of tillers per plant had strong positive and significant association at genotypic as well as phenotypic level with grain yield per plot in treated and untreated both plots. Thus, selection based on these traits will be effective in improving the grain yield in rice along with seed treated with Trichoderma harzianum.